Parental+Criminal+Responsibility

//**Parental Criminal Responsibility** by Shanda Armstrong// Parental Criminal Responsibility is a term that refers to the ability of law enforcement to hold parents responsible in some way for the criminal acts of their children. This could include fines, reimbursement for damages caused or even jail time for the parent. I do not believe that parents should be criminally responsible for the crimes committed by their children. I think they should be required to get appropriate help for the child when they see that they are on the wrong path. There are some children who would commit crimes just to see their parents suffer. It is also unrealistic in this day and age to expect a parent to be able to constantly supervise their child. Many parents have a full plate just from trying to support their family and makes ends meet. The purpose of holding the parents criminally responsible is to make someone legally responsible for the crime. A parent may have means to pay for damages caused by a minor, which otherwise would not be repaid. This is, in theory, to serve as a deterrent for children who may rethink committing crimes for the sake of their parent. In my opinion, this opens up the opportunity for rebellious teens to get back at their parents. It is a way for them to get their way out of the parent because it gives them something to hold over the parent's head. More information on this topic can be found at our CCGA Library website by utilizing GALILEO. Several databases in GALILEO have articles on this topic. Based on what I have read, I believe that I have formed a valid viewpoint. I have considered both sides of the arguement and both have some valid points. Parents who ignore the need of their children to have some sort of reprimand should be held responsible for that lack of parental supervision. I do not, however, believe that they should be held personally responsible for the specific acts of their child. Parents should be required to alert law enforcement at early signs of mischief, and work with some sort of social worker to get the situation under control before the child becomes a criminal. There are people who would have the parent spend the time in jail for the acts committed by the child. I do not see this as a way to effectively get through to the child who committed the crime. They must be shown that they will be held responsible for their own actions. I believe that the solution to the problem is a complex one. The parent should be responsible for notifying schools and social workers when their child becomes a problem. Parents, school systems and law enforcement officials need to find a way to work together to deter these children from these criminal acts in the first place. Parental criminal responsibility questions the right of law enforcement to hold parents responsible for crimes committed by their children. One viewpoint is that parents would take a more proactive role in their childrens' actions if they knew that they would be held responsible financially and criminally. Others would say that it is unrealistic to hold someone responsible for an act they did not commit. Lets say that "Joey" felt like an outcast at his school. He became reclusive and stopped communicating with his family. When asked about his behavior, his response was violent. He began plotting a bombing at his school to get back at the kids who made him feel like he did not belong. His parents noticed a change but did not address it further. "Joey" gets the necessary components, makes the bomb, places it in a high traffic area at school and BOOM! Now, who is responsible for blowing up the school? Joey is, right? What are his parents responsible for? They are responsible for not looking further into the problem when it presented itself in minor ways. Should they be held financially and criminally responsible for any damages or loss of life? How could they know what actions their child would take? On the other hand, say that you are a parent of one of the children injured. Would you be satisfied with "Joey" alone being prosecuted knowing his parents neglected to act when they say a change in his demeanor? They should pay for their failure to act. But how much? I believe that my viewpoint is correct because the parents are responsible for the well being of their child. Failing to address the issues that led to the criminal act is what they should be held responsible for. The child himself should be responsible for the specific act. The parents did not knowingly and willingly commit the crime. The child acted alone in plotting and carrying out the criminal act and should be prosecuted alone also.